Speculations: Jaguar Testing Hybrid Version of New XK

A facelift for the Jaguar XK is expected to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in a couple of weeks before going on full sale in 2009. With such a short time left it is only makes sense that the development is drawing to a conclusion, this has been evident on prototypes spotted over the past few months as more and more camouflage has been removed. But our spies over at CarPix noticed a rather peculiar prototype come out on the Nurburgring circuit which seems to taken a step backwards in the development process.

It sports a different bumper in comparison to previous prototypes spotted and those additional air vents on the hood tell us this particular body panel comes from the high-spec XK-R model. Facts like this are hardly going to lead us to any conclusion other to confirm the model is doing some testing to its powertrain. But what powertrain is it? Our spy photographer has informed us that this prototype failed to belt out its usually roar when going past meaning we are likely looking at one of the first prototypes for a hybrid version of the model.